The intrepid crew of “Savasana” (a Yoga relaxation pose) started off at 9:30 AM Friday as SSYC’s entry in the 125nm 70th Annual Newport-to-Ensenada race. SSYC’s Senior Staff Commodore, Don Albrecht, with 43 straight years of N2E experience, was at the helm of the start of our class at 11:10 AM. We were shadowed by a number of SSYC’ers on “Ku’ uipo”, with Vice Commodore Dean Russell at the helm. They were cheering us on after the start. The crew included owner Erik Waelput, Don Albrecht, Kathy Abbott, Tina Simmons, Chris Haro, Mark Howard, John Marshall and Dan Urbano.We had 5-7mph winds at the start and as the sun became bigger, the winds were expected to build. A majority of the boats rode a port tack some 40 miles out to sea and after several hours, were further away from Ensenada than when they started. They were outside looking for high winds while some us remained closer to shore. With 8 people on board, everyone had an opportunity at the helm. As the winds grew ever stronger, we determined that the wind had indeed clocked around from the SSE to the West. It put the wind direction coming over our starboard aft quarter, an ideal direction and opportunity to set our gennaker (a gennaker is an asymmetrical sail and mounts like a jib on the forestay, where a spinnaker is symmetrical and flies with lines on the corners).With Tina on the helm, the wind was gusting up to 18-20 mph and we were hitting hull speeds of 10.4 mph! With following seas at 6-8 feet, the rudder became too shallow in the water and we lost control of the boat direction! Needless to say, it’s a very crazy time on the boat when you can no longer steer it where you want to go as the boat starts “rounding-up”.“Rounding-up” is a phenomenon that occurs in sailing when the sailor at the helm is no longer able to control the direction of the boat and it heads up (or “rounds up”) into the wind, causing the boat to slow down, stall out, or tack. This occurs when a gust of wind overpowers the ability of the rudder to maintain a straight course. It takes a great deal of strength to get the rudder to respond to the rounding-up.As the sun set, the winds began to die down. By 9:00 PM, the wind stopped and we were simply being pushed forward by the ocean swells. It’s roughly the equivalent of being in a washing machine as the sails and rigging slap from one side to the other, causing the boat to pitch and yaw. That was a bit unsettling to a few sailors’ stomachs. But, the beauty of the night sky away from city lights is amazing as night sky literally explodes with stars.Since we were sailing in the Cruising Gennaker “B” class, we were able to use our engine for a few hours to make some headway. After all, the party in Ensenada started Saturday at 6:00 PM and we didn’t want to miss it! As the sun rose on Saturday morning, you could see Point Loma in San Diego. As the sun rose, the winds returned and we were on our way again down the coast to the border with Mexico. We heard many radio broadcasts from the San Diego Coast Guard warning sailors of small boats to be aware of a “Small Craft Advisory”. A “Small Craft Advisory” is a type of warning issued by the National Weather Service in the coastal areas. It is issued when winds have reached, or are expected to reach within 12 hours, a speed marginally less than gale force. The wind that triggers the advisory is typically 25-38 mph. We kept wondering when it was going to give us the great wind to reach Ensenada in a reasonable period of time. After all, we had a “Welcoming Committee” looking for us!. We were headed to a waypoint roughly 20 miles off Ensenada Bay where we would have to jibe from a starboard tack to a port tack. I was on the helm and we brought the crew together to discuss how we were going to manage the jibe. Erik and Dan were to scramble up the foredeck wearing the auto-inflatable PFDs while being tethered to the boat to make sure the clew of the Gennaker made it around the forestay. Chris was to center the main, then ease the main sheet to the starboard side. The port side Gennaker sheet was to be eased, while the starboard Gennaker was to be trimmed. We executed the maneuver to perfection! Now, we were on a final leg in to Ensenada!The winds started to increase dramatically. We were getting buffeted by winds that created a twist in the Gennaker at the top of the said. Our boat speed kept increasing to 9, 10, 11 mph. We hit 12 mph and I was fighting the helm hard as she kept trying to round-up with each bigger gust of wind. We had to get the Gennaker down as we were pushing Savasana beyond her limits as we hit 12.9 mph! Unfortunately, the twist in the Gennaker made it impossible to put it into the sock. We had to pull the entire sail into forward hatch. Mark Howard was standing by below deck as we wrestled with the Gennaker. Another gust of wind blew the Gennaker block off the starboard side and the sail was flying out of control. Winds are always fastest at the top of the mast while the water slows the wind. Savasana buried her starboard rail in the water as the Gennaker billowed out far on the starboard side. We were heeled way over and I’ll never forget the 3 seconds that everyone looked at me on the helm with the, “Are we going into the water?” The 10-12 foot swells were slapping against the port side of the boat, but I managed to steer the boat off the wind to keep the boat upright. When we were heeled over, Mark Howard, shouted, “I can see fish!” Fortunately, the starboard side windows were closed. We did our best to save the Gennaker as out came the knives to cut the lines. The only thing holding the Gennaker was the halyard. We managed to raise it ten feet above the water where it became evident that the Gennaker had split in two. Erik made the final call to cut the Gennaker halyard and we watched the halyard fly out of the top of the mast and away from the boat. The expressions on the crews’ faces looked like we had just lost a dear friend. I know many of us were willing to pitch in to buy a new sail. Erik did his best to make us feel better. He explained, “It was a $3,000 sail. I used it seven times over the past three years. I just bought a new boat and it has a spinnaker. I’m planning on leaving Savasana in Windward Sailing Club and they’Ll never need a Gennaker, so we’re not replacing it”.After recovering from a trying experience, we finished the race at 5:25 PM on Saturday and were greeted on the dock by a very enthusiastic welcoming committee comprised of Robin Marshall, Juli and Brian King and Dean and Barbara Russell. Champagne was poured all around and we toasted to an N2E experience that we will not soon forget. The Coral Hotel and Marina is a magnificent property. The King’s and Russell’s suite on the 5th floor had a commanding view of the pool area and the expansive view of Ensenada Bay. They entertained the crew of Savasana on the patio deck while many in the crew took advantage of a hot shower. The party featured lamb, carnitas and chicken tacos for $2.50. The Cadillac Margueritas for $5.25 were fantastic!The RBOC past president and friend Cleve Hardaker of Silver Gate Yacht Club was on the N2E finish boat and explained to us what happened on the water. He described that two large air masses collided out at sea. You had the cool onshore breeze that was building all day. Then, you had the warm offshore breeze of the Santa Ana winds combining to create a windy vortex with winds exceeding 37 mph. Truly, gale force winds. Savasana was one of several boats that either lost their Gennaker or Spinnaker that afternoon. Many boats crossed the finish line with only their mainsail up or what was left of their spinnaker tied to the mast. Many mainsails were simply blown out. “Apprentice” out of the Newport Sea Base had to retire from the race in San Diego as their head stopped working! Next year we’ll have an even more experienced crew! -Race Director John Marshall

The night was on fire at SSYC Closing Ceremonies. Master of Ceremonies Steve Baker dedicated the night to Betty Lems as he read a poem before we headed out to burn sour socks. Them South Shore folks got an odd tradition,Commodorable Juli swears it's not fiction.Brian puts a barbecue down by the docks,And all of the members burn their socks.

It's a terrible stench like burning rot,Some say it’s peculiar, but I think it’s not.Barbara and Dean put their socks on last fallBut never took ‘em off to wash ‘em, at all.

Through the spring and summer and into the fall,Mary Beth and Jerry wear no socks at all.Just stinky bare feet in old deck shoes,Whether sailin' Hibachis or drinkin' some brews.

I don't think in much trouble we'll be.If Tina can keep the smoke in the leeI think that if anyone does go to jail,A true friend Mike Schmidt will be there with bail.

Incineration of socks is the only solution,‘Cause washin’ ‘em contributes to Newport’s pollution.Pleading ignorance will be Scott and John Marshall.As once they did upon a bridge I did fall.

I dedicate this verse to Betty Lem,Memories of her will never dim.Her spirits in my heart fulfilled,Or perhaps Jack Daniels with spirits distilled

So if into the Harbor on this night you sail,And smell something rotten you wouldn’t inhaleYou’ll know you’re downwind of the South Shore docksWhere they celebrate yachting by burning their socks.BY STEVE BAKER -Social Director Jen Johns

The cruising season is well underway; it’s now time to finalize our plans for the Channel Island’s cruise. This is the first ever SSYC cruise to the Channel Islands and you don’t want to miss out. This will be the Signature cruise of our current Commodore, and my wife, Commodore King. It takes place Memorial Day weekend, giving us an extra day for the journey and plenty of time to explore “the Galapagos of the West Coast”. If you have not signed up as crew or skipper and still have an interest in going, please call me asap. We will depart from Oxnard Friday morning May 26th and return Monday morning May 29th.-Cruise Director Brian King

Our April whale watching cruise was a huge success. Roughly twenty club members and friends spent some quality time together at sea and we found the whales. Thanks to our skipper Mike Schmidt, along with some good scouting and coordination with some local whale watching outfits, we spotted a Humpback and two Fin whales. After, we moseyed over to the Russell’s for a beautiful sunset and drinks. Thank you Barb and Dean.-Cruise Director Brian King

Almost there! SSYC nears $50,000 in donations for NSB! We need an additional $400 in donations to raise $50,000 since we began giving in 2010.

Congratulations to 17 members and 4 business donors who have raised $6,000 for the Newport Sea Base in the past 2 months! It is now time for others to join in the giving. There is a discount available for the June dinner meeting; a free dinner for a 500 Club donation, $15 off on an Admiral $250 donation, $10 off on a Commodore $150 donation and $8 off on a Captain $100 donation.For the last two years, we have raised over $7,000 and we are within $1,000 of matching our previous generosity! So please send in your donations now! If you have misplaced your donation envelope, call Herb Fischer at 949 500 4928.

Indeed the “Hour of Adventure” is upon us. April was packed with activities, from a sock burning ceremony to whale watching to offshore racing; what an amazing club with amazing people. The Newport to Ensenada sailboat race was remarkable. N2E is truly a “bucket list” adventure and you’ve got to go to know. If you didn’t make it this year be sure to join us next year as crew or part of the hospitality team. Before our next sailing adventure to the Channel Islands Memorial Day weekend, we are holding our 60th SSYC Opening Day Ceremony on May 20th with a 1:00PM check in. We are going to have a steel drum band, a champagne toast and dancing. We want to have a packed house, so please invite your friends and family to join us. RSVP today to ssycsocial@gmail.com or text Jen at 949-646-3102.-Commodore King

The Border Run had 50 boats participate in the 9th Annual Border Run. The regatta kicked off with a Pre-Race Send-Off Party at the Sienna Italian Restaurant and Bar at the Balboa Inn, right at the foot of the Balboa Pier on the Peninsula. Several SSYC members were present for the party. Our featured speaker was Pete Melvin, of Morrelli/Melvin Yacht Design, designers of the AC 45 America’s Cup foiling catamarans.Saturday morning began at 8:00 with Vice Commodore Dean Russell, skippering the Hunter 40 sloop, “Ku ‘uipo”. Herb Fischer provided the sandwiches and Robin Marshall brought those huge Costco muffins and fruit for the ten adults and three grandchildren on board. It was the first time for Dean and Barbara Russell’s granddaughters, Chloe (8), Berkeley (6) and Paisley (5) to be on the boat and had a “sleepover” on Friday night. When we asked the girls what their favorite part of the Border Run was, we expected them to say, “The cannon!”. Nope, it was all the big boats passing close to the stern where they impersonated “Ga-ga” by chiming in with, “Good luck!” to all the racers!Winds were 5-7 knots SSW at the start and we managed to get all the boats off to San Diego and Dana Point. Every time the cannon was fired at a start, a cloud of gunpowder flowed over the Race Committee boat. “We love the smell of gunpowder in the morning!”We had 41 boat finish in Dana Point with Seth Hall and “Marisol” with the fastest elapsed time of 3 hours, 22 minutes and 42 seconds. “Marisol” finished ahead of James Wert and the crew of “Soffio Di Dio” (Breath of God) by a mere 40 seconds over 14 miles.SSYC had Brian Boyle and the crew of “Tui” in the PHRF C class finished seventh out of ten boats in her class. SSYC’s Erik Waelput and the crew of “Sound Current” finished second in the Cruz No-Spinnaker B Class. On board with Erik was Kathy Abbott, Don Albrecht and Dan Orduno. Everyone had time at the helm.The good news is that over half the fleet finished in San Diego. The bad news is that it was only three out of five boats! Many racers were concerned that the 70-mile course to San Diego was going to be a “drifter”, which is sailor code for “no wind”. The Race Committee at the finish line was SSYC Staff Commodore Steve and Pam Ellsworth, Jennifer Johns and Larry Marshall. They enjoyed a sumptuous feast of chicken tacos and live entertainment with Steve playing guitar and singing Zac Brown and Jimmy Buffet songs.First to finish was Randy Reynolds in his Reynolds 33-foot catamaran at about 2:27 early Sunday morning. Second to finish was Brian Willess and the NACRA Maniacs of Arizona Yacht Club at 5:09 AM Sunday morning. Yes, they trailered their 17-foot Catamaran behind a 36-foot RV to join The Border Run! These two rugged yachtsmen are crazy!The only mono-hull to finish was Larry Malmberg of Shoreline Yacht Club in Long Beach on his Catalina 38. They finished twenty minutes before the official end of the race! Their total elapsed time on the course was 26 hours and forty minutes, just 20 minute’s shy of the official end of The Border Run San Diego Course.-Race Director John Marshall

As expected, our St. Patty’s Day Cruise to Avalon was spectacular. After a nail biting channel crossing with quarter mile visibility, we were greeted by our gracious hosts, John and Robin Marshall. They coordinated an awesome weekend of activities and adventure, starting off with a reception hosted by Kate and Patty at their luxurious hotel suite in Avalon with wine, snacks, and sunset. Afterwards, we set out for some night life and “Buffalo Milk” and St. Patty’s day was officially in the books.The next day we fell into our dinghies, rowed to shore, and stumbled to the only miniature golf course on Catalina. Who knew “putt putt” could be so fun? If you get a chance, ask Tina all about it. LOL. Saturday night was more of the same awesomeness, but instead of the vocal cord shredding karaoke singing we did Friday night, we danced to live music on the terrace and at night clubs. Sunday we returned home in clear skies and a light breeze to our back. A truly memorable weekend.-Cruise Director Brian King

At our Friday March dinner, it was hard to tell who was whom, as all wore masquerade masks. Getting in the Mardi Gras spirit, we dined on delicious New Orleans inspired cuisine. The chef truly outdid himself this month. Craig Ramsey, Sailing Development of Sea Base, gave a wonderful presentation on the history of the organization and how it serves our community, reaching over 6,100 youth per year. A non-profit close to SSYC’s heart, Sea Base is celebrating their 80th anniversary.-Social Director Jen Johns

I have read about Buddy Boating and the benefits of being with other boats while cruising such as security, shared knowledge, and companionship. On our cruise to Avalon, security was not an issue since there were no pirates (they’re usually sighted in October) and all the wine was secured below decks. On the other hand, shared knowledge was very important. We took Kuuipo, a Sailtime boat, and discovered that the engine was not charging the batteries. That created a crisis because we did not have enough power for the inverter to make coffee. So much for the planning to have enough coffee cups on board with nothing to put in them. Actually the worse problem was the power needed to operate the heads, no s—t. Then, we could not start the outboard motor in the dingy (double jeopardy). Chris Tadlock came over as soon as he realized we had a problem. He analyzed the electrical system on Kuuipo, then jumped into the dingy to work on the outboard. Jerry Shilo also came over to offer assistance. Even though the problems could not be solved, our Buddies were more than willing to offer help, and even deliver coffee to us. Our club has some great Buddies.-Vice Commodore Dean Russell